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David Beveridge Villegas

September 3, 1955 ~ April 29, 2007 (age 51)

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David Villegas, who loved music, old movies, and family holidays, passed away in the early hours of April 29 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. He was 51.

Mr. Villegas was a resident of the Open Arms Care Facility in Ooltewah, where he had lived since 1992. Members of his family and the staff of Open Arms held a memorial service on Monday.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for Thursday night, May 3, from 7-8:30 p.m. at McCommons Funeral Home in Greensboro, Ga. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 4, at the Wesley Chapel Wesleyan Church in Greensboro. David will be interned next to his father, Jaime, who passed away on Feb. 2, 2000.

David Beveridge Villegas was born on Sept. 3, 1955 in Greensboro as the third child of Jaime and Catherine Villegas. David was born with Down Syndrome but overcame that obstacle to live a full and happy life with family and friends. He was known by the people of Greene County and in other places he lived for his gentle manner and loving spirit. As a youngster in Greene County he attended the Little Red School House, a facility his mother helped to create for children with special needs. The Little Red School house was located at the old Siloam School.

In 1970 David moved with his family to High Point, N.C. where his father had taken a teaching position at High Point College. While there he attended the Cloverdale School for children with special educational needs. In 1980 David returned to Greene County with his family. From time to time David would be seen working at the Super Value grocery store which was operated by his aunt, Pauline Channell.

In 1992 David entered a new phase of his life when he moved to the Open Arms Care Facility in Ooltewah, Tenn.. There David received additional vocational training and became a part of a vibrant community of people with special needs. He was able to work, travel, and take part in a host of activities. While Open Arms became David''s home, he still returned to Georgia several times a year for family holidays, either in Greene County or the home of his sister, Maria, in Atlanta. He loved Christmas and everything about it. His favorite music came from Elvis Presley and his favorite movies were "Camelot", "The Wizard of Oz" and especially, "The Sound of Music." David was very active in the Special Olympics and recently participated in a softball game in the Chattanooga area.

David Villegas is survived by his mother, Catherine Jackson Villegas of Greensboro, his brother, Sam Villegas of Winston-Salem, N.C., and his sister, Maria Barnhart of Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers the family encourages friends to make a donation to The Special Olympics (www.specialolympics.org or 1-800-700-8585). McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.